Ultra-Short-Pulse Lasers—Materials—Applications

Abstract

We overview recent developments of 3D± (additive/subtractive) manufacturing/printing from the point of view of laser development, beam delivery tools, applications, and materials. The average power of ultra-short-pulsed lasers has followed a Moore’s scaling trajectory, doubling every two years, for the past 20 years. This requires fast beam scanning solutions and beam delivery control for larger-area applications. New material synthesis with high spatial resolution is provided at the high intensity TW/cm2-PW/cm2 exposure site. Net-shape manufacturing with a reduced number of post-processing steps is a practical trait of 3D± printing. With computer numerical control (CNC) optimised using artificial intelligence (AI), the future of 3D± manufacturing is discussed.